Mamadou Sakho
When Barcelona and Manchester United were fighting for the signature of Thomas Vermaelen, a centre-back crippled by injuries for a couple of years and struggling to break into an Arsenal first team, it was made clear that a dependable centre-back is a rare entity in modern football. Two years later, not much has changed and relatively unknown centre-backs are commanding fees upwards of £30million. Hence it’s baffling that a 27-year-old centre-half with four years of premier league experience, 28 caps for French national team, a former PSG captain, is up for grabs with very little takers. We look at 3 premier league clubs who could use French national Mamadou Sakho.
It is ludicrous that Crystal Palace haven’t signed Sakho yet. He along with Benteke and Zaha were the three musketeers who drove them to safety from the perils of relegation. He looked settled during his time at Selhurst park and seemed comfortable alongside his Palace teammates too. Palace have already shown their ambition by splashing out the money on Christian Benteke. Hence it only makes sense for them to sign the man who ensured their safety.
Arsenal have found their mojo back after switching to a 3 man backline. Also, this means that they need more defensive reinforcements considering how their centre-halves struggled with injuries and form last year. They were stretched so much that Monreal, their first choice left-back, had to switch to a central defensive role on a number of occasions. Gabriel has been inconsistent and Mertesacker does not have enough in his locker to play week in, week out.
This leaves the team with only 3 first team centre-backs in Koscielny, Mustafi and 21-year-old Rob Holding. It would be a grave mistake to head into a season having Thursday night games, with only 3 dependable central defenders. Sakho, with his premier league experience will be an amazing fit to this team. Also, signing a low key centre back will ensure that the growth of the outstanding Rob Holding is not affected. Sakho’s French connection should help him connect easily with the gaffer, who is hungry to lead his team to the first title win in more than a decade.
The London club has been trying hard to join the big boys in the top table for some time and some smart signings would go a long way in helping them do that. With Fonte and Collins on the wrong side of the 30s and Ogbonna’s injury concerns, it would make sense for the Hammers to have some defensive cover. Sakho has experience playing for top clubs and will bring the big club mentality that West Ham are striving for. Known for his hardball dealings and smart signings, David Sullivan should grab the chance to sign the Liverpool outcast.
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